In a space filled with light specs of different colors, two ethereal beings stared each other down. Both were carved out of stone with braided hair. Their faces reflected each other. Cracks were the only disparity between the two. One maiden had cracks that flaked off, revealing multicolored layers.
The cracked stone maiden spoke. Her voice echoing into the dark speckled void. "Tanya, why do you destroy knowledge? Why do you destroy words and worlds? Is it because they are created by different hands, and not by your brethren? Do their creations offend your senses, that you must destroy their words before they are even created?"
"You should know oh, cracked sister of mine. The maiden of the lesser Mavil. Their quality is questionable. They do not have the same backing. These creators and spew makers need approval. Which is a hard path, but I have achieved it." Tanya lifted her chin.
"Are you saying words and worlds not made by traditional hands are worthless? That their path is built on smooth streets because they do not carry the weight of your foundation. Do you find their words evil and not proper? Why do you feel the need to downplay down what does not follow your forefathers? Can you not see the work and effort? Must it be burned and tarnished?" Mavil questioned.
"Of course," Tanya roared. "They walk simple paths with the inability to wait for approval. It is crucial to have the backing of our ancestors. They ought to embrace them and express gratitude for the few possibilities, if they gain them. The backing means their creations are worth the grains they use."
Mavil lowered her head. Her voice soft, but it grew in volume as she spoke." They chose the best option for their worlds, for their creations." She raised her head, locking her gaze with Tanya's. "Some worlds would have never existed. The system far too rigged to care, or value their ideas and words. Destroying the wonders that leap from them. Sometimes the process may accept some, but for others it could be a nightmare."
Tanya chuckled, her ethereal, bitter voice floated. "They are not part of my pantheon. I am backed by those who have a good worth. Those who stand on their own can not achieve what I can. They should not try to. If they feel that way, let them have their easy roads and poor excuses for existing."
"Are you so, overwhelmed by the possibility of their success? That those creators are drawing believers into their fold. I marvel at your pretend wit. A unless display to downplay others' efforts to increase your own. I watched as you swipe your hands into their tears. Did you know some worlds are trapped in written pages or thoughts? That these worlds cannot be heard or seen. After countless hours of formation, their story lost to the winds of time. Yet, you speak so freely. Condemn what is blood between the pages. The long hours of their gods. You perceive no harm in your vocalizing, and say it is a fact, without proper justification."
"Sister," Tanya shrieked.
"How you lie in your own filth! Your existence is merely a shallow, twisted illusion. You know not their toil, their reasoning, nor do you know their words. When you disregard their work, the majority who have faith in you will also believe your words. You harmed them with selfish reasoning. You chose your path, your oath. Sister, you belong to a bigger pantheon and now you disregard those from a smaller one. The ones whose roads are jagged. You sneer at them for avoiding your tradition. One that can hinder based on creed, oaths, sexuality, or nationality.
You said let's silence their written word.
"Their roads and so-called jagged edges have not gone through the proper channels. So, they must not be good. Their toil not as long." Tanya sneered.
"Could you consider the possibility that your words may halt the creation of new wonders. What if that one story who saves someone does not exist because of your frivolous commands and demands," said Mavil.
"Do you not see any harm in your words? The proper way is suffering. My prays are vanishing," Tanya shrieked.
"Do you not see any harm in your words, Tanya? Do you see only validation in off branded claims. A claim that labels you a victor and the others a fraud. You do not know their toil or their work, but that doesn't make it any less valid. I have observed the labor they did and held it in my hands. I saw their struggles. It isn't easy. The path they walk is hard and cracked, with no straight lines. Yet you proclaim it is a simple path. It is a path you did not walk yourself. It is a path you did not hold. Yet your lips open, upset at them for failing to lean on your path. To lean on your ways." Mavil's marvel shell splintered, creating fissures in her body. She hunched over.
Tanya opened her mouth, but Mavil spoke first with a trembling voice.
"How dare you mock them! How dare you turn a cheek! Are their words less important, because they did not follow your old ones? How vulgar of you. Your words will no longer carry a spark, your creations have lost their magic for some. The worlds you create will be tainted. Your reputation is damaged. Apologizing will never be enough. The thing is you will never accept your wrongs. You will hold steadfast and burn the worlds who do not suit your taste. In all your intelligence, in all your glory, you stepped on them, breaking their backs. Their hands that are stained with hours and days of work burned. The spittle from your mouth destroyed what some had built.
Tanya listened with narrowed eyes. "Their worlds should be silenced and held against them."
"All because they choose a tough road that you say is easy." Mavil gritted her teeth.
"You sneer at me, sister. Why should their creations be heard? Why should their worlds exist?" said Tanya.
"Do others not hold your worlds against you? They do, do they not! Some do not want to accept your views, your worlds willed into existence. Then you should know parts of their struggle, to be heard or seen. You deny them for not taking your path, while some have shunned yours for merely existing. Their worlds like yours deserve credence and care. They may not follow you, but you did inspire some of them. Why are you afraid of their flourishing? You flourished, you succeeded. Let those who walk a path not like yours have their glory. Please do not downplay efforts for your own benefit." Mavil spoke.